What happened in the league?
One win in their first eight matches set alarm bells ringing, but in an era where most teams seem all too trigger-happy, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) stuck to their guns. Fandi Ahmad got the team back on track, guiding them to seventh spot on the table.

Did anything go wrong?
Some day scientists will study the Jekyll and Hyde nature of LionsXII’s home and away performances and realise they really know nothing at all. Imagine LionsXII as kings of the jungle when playing at Jalan Besar Stadium before morphing into pussycats on their travels. You have to feel for coach Fandi.

LionsXII striker Khairul Nizam has a flair for the spectacular

What went right?
The return of Safuwan Baharudin from his Australian adventure was like a welcome refresh button for Fandi, with the utility man breathing new life into the squad. With Madhu Mohana proving to be a more-than-capable centre-back, Safuwan was given a new lease of life as their midfield orchestrator.

Player to watch
Faris Ramli has a trait defenders hate, his direct-running style causing no end of problems for most teams. Bombing up and down the flanks, the young winger is direct, deadly and a crowd-pleaser.

Prediction
Pipped to the finish line by Kedah, ending up third in the group.